The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Lonnie J. Griffin (MCSN: 414677), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with First Marine Parachute Battalion in action against numerically superior enemy Japanese forces near Koi-ari, Bougainville, Solomon Islands on 29 November 1943. Although severely wounded while his platoon was under heavy enemy machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire, Private First Class Griffin voluntarily returned to his post on the front line immediately after receiving medical attention and remained in the hazardous position throughout many hours of continuous, intense fighting. His valiant conduct and unselfish devotion to duty under extremely difficult conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.